Windows 8 discarded the old conventional Start Menu and replaced it with an all-new tool bar called the Charms Bar. It may take a little getting used to so let me give you some idea on how it works.
Being the universal toolbar of Windows 8, you can access the Charms Bar from anywhere no matter which application you are working on. You can invoke it by either dragging your mouse pointer to the top or bottom right corner of the screen or pressing the Windows+C button on your computer.
The Charms Bar will appear as a vertical bar on the right side of the screen. It contains five icons, namely: Search, Share, Start, Devices and Settings.
Search – This functions pretty much like the search box on the old start menu. You can use this to search for any file, application and control panel settings. The results are quite instantaneous, an improvement of the older search tool.
Share – This button is used for sharing information with people via mail or social networks. However, only metro apps that have the necessary permission will have this sharing function integrated.
Start – This button will bring up the start menu. Pretty much redundant as you can easily press the Windows key or click on the bottom left corner of the screen to open the start menu.
Devices – Click this button to change settings of the various peripheral devices connected to your computer such as a second screen, projector or HDMI TV.
Settings – Controls for the settings of your computer are easily accessed here such as Audio, Brightness, Wi-Fi, Power, Notifications and Language. Clicking on the More PC Settings link will launch the metro control panel.
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